Happy New Year to all! The NHL is nearing the halfway mark of the season, and you should have a good idea at this time whether you are going to be a contender in your fantasy hockey leagues this season. Here are some players for whom you could trade or deal elsewhere.
TRADE FOR
Conor Garland, W, Canucks (41% rostered)
Garland is having a fine season with nine goals and 28 points in 35 games. He is well on his way to a career year, as his previous best was 52 points set during the 2021-22 season. The reason for so much hope in 2024-25 is that Garland is proving to be a stud on the power play with nine points thus far. His best was in 2022-23 with 12 points, but he is averaging 3:17 of ice time with the man-advantage, 1:44 better than two seasons ago.
With Quinn Hughes injured and likely out for a while, Garland should take on a bigger role on the first unit. He is a vital member of the team and at age 28, has moved himself into a spot as a top-six forward.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Garland for Jonas Johansson.
Dylan Strome, C, Capitals (81% rostered)
Strome was selected third overall in 2015 and was deemed a bust, especially considering that players like Mitch Marner, Timo Meier, Mikko Rantanen, Mathew Barzal, Kyle Connor and Travis Konecny were taken after him in the opening round that year. But while Strome had transformed himself in the previous two seasons since moving to Washington – 65 and 67-point seasons respectively – he has taken his game to another level in 2024-25.
Strome has 11 goals and 39 points in 36 games centering Alex Ovechkin when Ovechkin has been healthy. Strome’s stats slipped immensely when Ovechkin was out with a broken fibula, as he only tallied five goals and dished out five assists in 16 games. Ovechkin returned to the lineup Saturday, and it appears that Strome will pick up points on a par with The Great 8 the rest of the way.
Example of a completed deal from the Yahoo Trade Market: Strome and a fourth-round pick for Filip Forsberg and an 11th-round pick.
Karel Vejmelka, G, Utah (46% rostered)
Vejmelka’s record of 8-9-2 heading into action Monday doesn’t do him any justice, as he has a sparkling 2.32 GAA and a very impressive .918 save percentage. This is light years ahead of his performances his first three years in the NHL, as he had a…